Launched in 2008, the BMW’s 1 Series Coupé and Convertible have now received minor updates.
BMW afficionados will recognised the redesigned head- and taillights. It has also received a new front bumper. This item now incorporates what BMW calls an “air curtain”. The side of the bumper directs air over the front wheels in such a way that it lowers air resistance to assist with fuel consumption.
Apart from these subtle changes, the 1 Series Coupé and Convertible are available in two new additional exterior colours while there are also a few new options regarding the interior materials. Finally, another three wheel designs join the current line-up.
No changes have been made to the engine line-up and during the launch a representative of BMW South Africa confirmed that these engines will be available for the foreseeable future and possibly until till the end of the car’s life cycle.
1 Series M Coupé news
During this event, BMW also gave us the chance to experience the 1 Series M Coupé during an exciting gymkhana event. At CAR, we have been fortunate to already have tested the newest M car – click here for our video.
South Africa will only be getting 71 of these R546 392 compact M cars, but all have been sold. According to BMW, it was a simple first-come first-serve basis.
It wasn’t BMW’s plan to keep the car exclusive or produce it in limited numbers. The reason that only 2 452 will be built until productions ends next year was a simple math equation: it’s the number of M cars BMW can fit in between the standard cars on the assembly line.
Last year, BMW sold 16 967 M cars in total. The best seller was the M3 Coupé, followed by the Sedan and then the Convertible. It is also interesting to note that South Africa is the M division’s 10th biggest market.
Pricing
120d Coupé
2,0-litre turbodiesel
130 kW and 350 N.m
R350 000
120i Convertible
2,0-litre petrol
115 kW and 200 N.m
R370 500
125i Coupé
3,0-litre petrol
160 kW and 270 N.m
R364 500 (Convertible R423 000)
135i Coupé
3,0-litre turbopetrol
225 kW/400 N.m
R443 500 (Convertible R510 000)
*CAR will be attending the international launch of the second-generation BMW 1 Series hatch next week. Stay tuned for full details and a driving impression.
